The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-05
A NEW TYPE OF HORSE.
Senator Palmer Will Experiment and Try to
Produce Superior Animal.


Washington Special.
Senator Palmer. of Michigan, is about TO try
the experiment of breeding pure Arabian horses
with Percheron thoroughbreds, hoping thereby
to raise in this country breed OF horses su-
perior to anything we now have. +. w. Cottrel,
the superintendent of Senator Palner's fine
farm Detroit. sailed from New York on
Wednesday last the Aler. He will land at
Southampton, and from there go to La Perche
in France, the home of the celebrated Percheron
horse. Mr.. Cottrell will purchase at La Perche
thirty or forty Percheron stations and mares for
Senator Palmers farm These horses will not
be imported until spring, but Mr.. Palmers agent
goes thus early to secure the pick of the market
MIR. Cottrel Will also consult NJ. Charles Du
Hays. the head of the Bureau of Hippognics, in
the Department of Agriculture of France, as to
the best methods of transporting Arabian horses
from Damascus TO Marseiles, whence they can
be taken to Havre for shipment to America with
Percnerons. If Mr.. Cottrel receives encourag-
ing information from NJ Du Hays. regarding
the easv Transportation of horses from Arabia,
States consul there, Mr.. Henry Gilman, 60 over
to Damascus There he will purchase five full
blooded Arabian horses, and return with them
to France and the United States.
Senator Palmer has an idea that by long and
Intelligent in breeding, a Few type of horse may
be created. or the best quality of the old type
Reinforced by the crossing of the Arab horse
upon the Percheron mare, and vice versa. IL
his experiments warrant it he will con tiDue this
in-breedine. The Arab horses are small. from
fourteen to fifteen hands high, and from them
have sprung all the celebrated horses of Eng
land and America. The thoroughbreds of Eng
land all traceable back to one of three breeds
-Byerlys Funk the Harley Arabian ana the
Godolfin Arabian. and the infusion of Arabian
blood into of the standard stock of America
has resulted in improving the symmetry, and
possibly the endurance of the American trotter.
If Senator Palmer's agent finds that the trans
shipment of horses from the Damascus seaport
to Marseilles is impracticable, he will go
to Tangiers and what be done toward
securing the barb or Arab horses there.
There is tradition in Arabia which is
handed down and accepted fact the world
over, that no full blooded Arab horse is ever
disposed of for money. or offered for sale in any
way, and that they never used by their
owners q peaceful journey. war and parade
being the only occasions when an Arab horse is
used. Senator Palmer says the latter statement
may be true, but that it is not true that they
never disposed of at sale. He expects to have
trouble in purchasing the fine animals he de-
owned by the war chiefs and the wealthy
and distinguished citizens. This is the reason
that the coarser, inferior breeds never
reared. The celebrated Arab horses had their
where they are to be found to-day.
Capture in war, gift or legacy are the
only recognized modes Of transfer of these
horses. Hence the commercial export of Nejd
horses has never been established. All works
that have been written about Arabia and the
celebrated horses say that he is a deceiver who
ever boasted of having purchased a horse there
A few the Arabiaus admit, have been carried
across the frontier by war victors, and few
given as presents to distinguished people, Gray
is the prevailing color of Arab horses but some
are chestnut, some white, others sorrel, a few
notified gray black. but dark bay Arabian
horses do not exist. The prohibition Of the
portation of Nejd horses is nothing more than
q system OF monopoly by a protective system,
and Go one seems to gain by it. Senator Palmer
has given a great amount of study to the sub
ject of breeding thoroughbreds. His agent has
to this country for breeding purposes some of
the finest Arabian horses existing.